When life hands you lemons...

Set them in a pretty pitcher to make a summery centerpiece.

These mini lemons are called calamondin and they originated from the Philippines. They're more round than lemons and have an orange tint when they're ripe so they almost look like clementines. Any cooking/serving suggestions?

Oh the Places You'll Go... for a Sofa

Last night, Alex and I dropped Ava off with her grandparents and went on a wild adventure to the city to get this sofa.

The most adorable Psy. D. and her six and a half month baby girl were selling it on craigslist for a steal. (This sweetie pie was only a couple weeks older than Ava and the most agile little thing I've ever seen... she was practically crawling up the walls! I can't believe Ava's going to be moving like that soon. Alex and I were joking that Ava's movements are more brute force right now.)

The sofa is a Mitchell Gold Harrison in natural denim from Restoration Hardware circa 2006.

We had been looking for something to section off a formal sitting area within our dining room space for a while. I wanted something more formal and structured than your average living room couch, something light to brighten the cave that is our dining room. I fell in love with this one from Serena & Lily, but we don't have major cash to blow so our options are basically limited to what people are nearly giving away on craigslist.

We had the hardest time carrying it down the narrow, windy city apartment stairway, just Alex and me in our shorts and flip flops amidst the cold city fog, but it was so worth it. Our new formal sitting area in front of the fireplace is starting to take shape. Stay tuned for the grand tour -- I'm just a couple chairs and a coffee table away from the big reveal.

Our Little Angel

Ava was initiated into the Catholic Church yesterday. I found out just a couple weeks ago that this was the only date the church had available until next year. I didn't think she should wait that long to have her sins "exorcised" (the deacon kept using that word which kind of freaked everyone out). So we managed to pull it all together with only two weeks of prep time (but with lots of help from the grandmas and godparents).

I set up the dessert buffet on the kitchen counter, but draped a tablecloth over it to give it a more ethereal look. The portrait of Ava on the left was a gift from her godparents, my brother Joe and his wife Lulu.

I ordered the Whoopie pies and angel cake pops from Caty Kobe of OmNom Treats. She has major talent!

Caty's angel cake pops were the clear standout of the party. We decided to go with an angel theme since we've been calling Ava "Baby Angels" and it just seemed appropriate for a religious celebration.

Any last-minute preparations are usually stressful to me. I'm the kind of person who likes to be over-prepared and well in advance. That's usually why I try to delegate the food items at a party to others if possible. So the fact that we had to wait until we got back to the house after the baptism to set most of the food out did not leave me breathing easy. And certain things didn't get done as planned. But I guess that's just how these things go.

I also just wanted to point out how incredibly fashionable Ava's godmother (and my SIL) is. I so admire that about her... especially since I've been challenged in that area lately. In fact, we were five minutes late getting to the church because the dress I bought (which was too tight to begin with) actually split all the way up the back seam as I was switching out of the heels that kept sliding off my feet on our way out the door. (It was a hectic morning.)

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

I love feeding Ava in the early morning hours and she's calm and relaxed and sifts her fingers through my hair, so feminine and graceful. I love the voices she's starting to make, as if practicing impressions of different characters with deep voices which then cracks her up. I love how independent she can play now, but mostly I love how she flashes me the biggest self-assured smile when she notices me watching her and then goes right on back to playing.

Pool Day

We couldn't squeeze Ava's little sausage legs into her 6 month swimsuit and she's ready to start enjoying the pool so I picked up this little number and matching headband on sale at Janie and Jack.

There were so many precious suits to choose from, but I loved this one's burnt orange color and geometric pattern... and the sweet ruffles just make me happy.

Looking fierce practicing her strokes on the bed before braving the waters.

Photobooth Fun

Our friends James and Emily recently snuck away to some amazing tropical island in the Caribbean and eloped without telling anyone, then had a casual outdoor BBQ to celebrate with friends and family at home. It was really nice to finally catch up with so many of our friends we haven't seen since before baby.

The Wives (and soon-to-be wives) Club

Everyone had such a blast taking pics in hilarious poses in the photobooth... except Ava. (I don't remember why we decided to take pictures during the only time throughout the day she wasn't her happy, laughing, smiling self.)

Photobooths are such a great memento to send guests home with. Jordan Ferney has a tutorial on how to make some pretty awesome cutouts I'm excited to try for the next shindig we throw.

Twinsies

My baby sister (who I used to call "my baby girl" so who is now "my original baby girl") was sweet enough to ditch her awesome college life in San Diego and watch Ava while I work for the summer.

It's given us all lots of time to bond. Plus, Chelsea has mastered that casual, beach-sexy So. Cal. summer look so she's motivated me to wear something other than my PJs all day.

On this particular day, Chelsea showed up wearing the exact same colors I had Ava dressed in.

We're going to miss you like crazy when you go back to school, Chelsea, but we promise to visit soon!